Happy New Year-What's the Plan?

Proverbs 16:1-3

To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.

For me, 2019 arrives with changes. I'll continue to rehab my brand new knee as I head back to work, after an extended medical leave. With no arthritic pain in my knees, I can begin to take walks again and enjoy the outdoors. Retirement is around the corner. I'll be making plans for what I want to do next. I plan to keep writing and pen more fiction. Two things I enjoy, crocheting and embroidering, will keep my hands busy. As my grandson said when I told him I would be retiring, "You'll get to spend more time with family." Yes, Tim and I will take some trips and enjoy our family. All these changes are good. But I know the plans I make may not be the ones the Lord has in mind.

Proverbs 16 reminds me to check in with God before I make too many plans and definitely before I plunge in feet first. The Lord knows what's best for me. He knows my future and understands my needs. But how do I know what God wants me to do? I read his word, the guide for my daily life. I listen to his people. He provides wisdom through others. I pray! Then I wait for the nudge. God instilled the Holy Spirit in me when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. That beautiful, wonderful Spirit guides me, comforts me, and shows me the direction I need to go. I'm thankful I have one who loves me so much that He wants to lead me into the new year and show me the way.

John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

What are your plans for the new year?

Merry Christmas

May God bless you with 

peace, joy, hope and 

love this holiday season!

Christmas Blessings: Love

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The winter solstice, observed years before Christmas was a holiday, celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark season of winter. The people of the time worshiped the sun. When the sun shined less hours in the winter, folks wanted to do something to brighten the darkness. In many countries they set a log on fire and kept it burning for at least three days. This log became the Yule log, their way to bring light to the dark. Even those who didn't believe in Jesus sought after light in the darkness.

By AD 350, we know that Christians chose to celebrate Jesus birth near the same time as the winter solstice. Why would they do this instead of in the spring when Jesus was most likely born? They knew that Jesus light of love needed to come into the cold, dark season. While the pagans ate and drank together and worshiped the sun, believers chose to worship the son of God—Jesus—and shine his light. What better way to celebrate the Prince of Peace, than by recognizing him as the light who shines in darkness, the love who came to change the world.

I'm thankful that the Romans in AD 354 chose to celebrate Jesus birth. He came to earth to bring the light of love. A love that will last through eternity.

Merry Christmas!

Arahaba tratry ny Noely

Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa celebrates a Jesus centered Christmas. Even though the temperature is warm, they decorate with snow (that doesn't melt) and holly. Santa Claus is known as Dadabe Noely. But he's not the center of celebration.

Instead, families gather at church at 5pm on Christmas Eve for services that last until midnight. Children and adults sing carols and act out the nativity story. They return to church on Christmas Day and share in sweets. Families give small gifts to one another and greet everyone with " Arahaba tratry ny Noely," Merry Christmas.

I love that they center their celebration on Jesus. What a beautiful Christmas they share.

Cooper, James. “The History of Christmas Cards .” Why Christmas?, 2018, www.whychristmas.com.

Jesus Came to Us

What do I Love About Christmas?

These are a few (maybe a lot) of my favorite things:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (I've watched it every year since it came on television)
2. Nativity Scenes (Indoor and outdoor)
3. Looking at Christmas Lights with my hubby (revisiting the ones we've seen from year to year and discovering new ones)
4. Hallmark Christmas Movies (Yep-I'm that girl)
5. Making cookies with my daughters, grands, and mom! (We make a huge mess, but who cares)
6. Peppermint and Chocolate (in my coffee, peppermint patties, anyway it comes)
7. Our Christmas tree (the wonderful memories in each ornament)
8. Decorations that reflect the beauty of the season (anything winter)
9. Making Christmas Ornaments (always a joy)
10. My grandchildren's Christmas plays (I love these!)
11. Giving gifts (Always fun, sometimes a challenge)
12. Gathering with loved ones (family and friends)
13. The music (I have at least two stations ready to listen to in the car)
14. Reading the story of Jesus' birth out loud, before we open gifts (A highlight for me)
15. Celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to save the world! ("That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.")

What do you enjoy about Christmas?

Fiction Review: We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

Description:

When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request--that she look up a relative she didn't know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos--seems like it isn't worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.

At her great-aunt's 150-year-old farmhouse north of Detroit, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

Debut novelist Erin Bartels takes readers on an emotional journey through time--from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Michigan's Underground Railroad during the Civil War--to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.

My Review:
The title, We Hope for Better Things, says so much about this story. Elizabeth Balsam, the main character, takes readers on a journey through struggles, love, hate, and loss. I admit there were parts of this book I found difficult to read because the depravity of mankind is exposed, yet I wanted to keep reading as Elizabeth dug through her family's history with hope and determination to find truth. This is an important book and should be read for a better understanding of our history; in hopes that we'll be a better people. I remember my brother, in National Guards, had to go to Cincinnati for riots in the sixties. It was a scary time. Erin Bartels remarkable writing brings to light times of trouble with a degree of hope. This would be a great winter read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.